Deshaun Watson headlines NFL trade deadline candidates, plus Prisco’s Week 8 picks and QB rankings

Girls and boys, buckle your seat belts, as a result of we’re now formally lower than one week away from the commerce deadline. Week 8 can be on the horizon, so we have got a lot to speak about. John Breech is in the course of a cross-country trek, visiting Related Press workers to foyer for Joe Burrow MVP votes, so you have bought me, Cody Benjamin, right here to information you across the NFL.

That is the Decide Six Publication. Now let’s get to it. (And please, do your self a favor and be sure you’re signed up to receive this newsletter every day! You do not wish to miss our day by day choices of all the pieces it is advisable to know across the NFL.)

We have Week 8 picks, QB energy rankings, commerce rumors and way more:

1. At this time’s present: High commerce deadline candidates, touchdown spots

Brady Quinn joined Will Brinson for Wednesday’s “Decide Six NFL Podcast,” and one in all their hottest matters concerned big-name commerce candidates forward of the Nov. 2 deadline. Some commerce chips on their radar:

• Deshaun Watson: Brady believes the Eagles may nonetheless be lurking within the shadows as a suitor, particularly if the Texans cannot get what they’re on the lookout for from the Dolphins.
• Allen Robinson: Brady thinks the Chiefs and Ravens can be good to purchase, however would not essentially assume the Bears will likely be motivated to promote as a result of their coach and basic supervisor are combating for his or her jobs. Will likes the Saints as logical match, too.
• Xavien Howard: Will is pretty assured the Dolphins may get premium picks for the cornerback, even perhaps a first-rounder.
• Brandin Cooks: Brady thinks a Patriots reunion would make sense, as would a transfer to the 49ers or Packers.

Catch the complete dialogue (and subscribe for all types of day by day NFL discuss) right here.

2. Prisco’s Picks: Saints upset Buccaneers, Vikings stun Cowboys

Pete Prisco went 9-4 straight-up making picks final week. Now that he is sizzling, he is again with predictions for every Week 8 game. Listed here are a few of his most notable projections:

• Titans 23, Colts 17: This Colts group is way improved from (earlier this 12 months). However I nonetheless assume the Tennessee run recreation will likely be an excessive amount of for the Indianapolis protection. Derrick Henry comes up massive because the Titans take a stronghold on the division.
• Saints 26, Buccaneers 20: The Bucs gained in New Orleans within the playoffs. This crowd will likely be so much completely different, making it much more of a problem. I feel Jameis Winston will get revenge on his outdated crew because of the protection. Saints win it outright.
• Vikings 28, Cowboys 27: Each groups are coming off a bye, so they are going to be rested. … Look for lots of factors on this one, however I’ll go along with a home-team upset.

3. Insider notes: Burying 14 groups who haven’t any shot at playoffs

Jason La Canfora is losing no time declaring teams out of the postseason picture as we strategy the halfway level of the 2021 season. In reality, he is burying nearly half the league as we enter Week 8. Listed here are a number of the most notable groups he is out on:

• Carolina (3-4): It’s essential to have not less than a QB worthy of having the ability to begin on half the groups within the league, at a minimal, to make the playoffs most years. They don’t have anything near that. The offense is brutal. Christian McCaffrey ain’t sufficient to avoid wasting the day when he comes again. 4 straight humbling losses have main questions being requested of Matt Rhule.
• Seattle (2-5): It is too late. Monday’s loss cements it. Each time Russell Wilson comes again (and Week 11 is probably going the earliest we’ll see him), it is too late. The protection is horrible. Cannot cowl or rush the passer. The offense is erratic at finest.
• San Francisco (2-4): Kyle Shanahan is taking severe warmth, and justifiably so. Wins are how coaches are measured; he would not do it practically persistently sufficient. Accidents are an element, positive, however now he has a QB controversy on his arms.

4. Panthers not pursuing Deshaun Watson commerce

Carolina had been sniffing round Watson for some time, as senior reporter Jonathan Jones notes. However with Watson reportedly solely waiving his no-trade clause for the Dolphins up so far, the Panthers appear to be out of the running for the Texans QB. Coach Matt Rhule has repeatedly mentioned Sam Darnold will stay the beginning QB transferring ahead, regardless of the ex-Jets signal-caller being benched in Week 7, and whereas Carolina possible nonetheless has curiosity in an improve, it appears Watson is both not prepared to depart for any crew besides Miami, not accessible for the Panthers’ most popular worth, or unable to resolve his excellent authorized points.

5. QB Energy Rankings: Kyler Murray surges into prime 3

Each week, we rank all 32 starting QBs from worst to first. As we enter Week 8, Cardinals star Kyler Murray is among the quickest risers, now sitting behind solely Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers. Here is our newest prime 10:

1. Tom Brady
2. Aaron Rodgers
3. Kyler Murray (+3)
4. Lamar Jackson (+1)
5. Dak Prescott (-2)
6. Josh Allen (+1)
7. Patrick Mahomes (-3)
8. Matthew Stafford
9. Justin Herbert
10. Joe Burrow

6. Fast-fire roundup: Commerce buzz, harm and COVID updates

Hungry for extra NFL content material? Listed here are a pair extra nuggets for you: